Da-iCE vocalist Sota Hanamura is stepping into the solo spotlight. Under the name SOTA HANAMURA, he's released his pre-debut album "ASCEEENSION" and unveiled the music video for lead single "Lose."

The 13-track album dropped June 3 and features a mix of Hanamura's own compositions alongside tracks from notable artists like Da-iCE bandmate Yudai Ohno, singer-songwriter eill, and rapper SIRUP. "Lose" showcases Hanamura's songwriting chops—he penned the lyrics for this funky track that follows a protagonist getting played by someone despite knowing all the winning moves. The music video opens with Hanamura's car breaking down before shifting through outfit changes and dance sequences.

The album demonstrates Hanamura's range as a creator. Beyond "Lose," standout tracks include "Me.exe" (co-written with producer sty), "I'll be a star" (which he co-wrote), and "DRIFTING," where Hanamura handled production duties. Several collaborators bring their own energy—eill provides "We Got This," while SIRUP contributed "イエナイ."

This solo venture isn't replacing his group work. Hanamura continues as Da-iCE's vocalist, and interestingly, he's also involved with band Natural Lagoon, which has a scheduled Budokan performance on August 16—the day before his own solo Budokan debut.

The SOTA HANAMURA Live Tour 2026 kicks off June 11 at Tokyo's Kanadevia Hall and continues through venues in Osaka, Nagoya, and Fukuoka before culminating at the prestigious Nippon Budokan on August 17. The physical releases include documentary footage—a 46-minute director's cut for the CD+Blu-ray+photobook edition and a 37-minute version for the standard CD+Blu-ray edition.

For Da-iCE fans, this represents an exciting expansion of Hanamura's artistry while maintaining his core identity within the group. The "ASCEEENSION" project positions him as a multifaceted creator ready to build his own sonic identity.